The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-02

were. The Grange still lives, but its glory Is
departed, and its history Is recorded only in
the distorted statements OF partisans and of
misinformed review writers. In the latter
part of 1868 certain Minnesota farmers re-
ceived printed sheet which began as fol-
lows; SIN response to numerous inquiries
in regard to our order, this circular is issued.
The order was organized by n number Of dis
tinguished agriculturists OF various States OF
the Union, at Washington, in December,
1867, and since then has met with most en-
couraging success, giving assurances that il
will soon become one of the most useful and
powerful organizations in the United States
Its grand object Is not only general improve
ment in husbandry, but 10 increase the gem
eral happiness, wealth and prosperity of the
country" As an aid in accomplishing
its authors design this circular was cer-
tainly q success. AS statement OF truth it
was a conspicuous failure. Instead of hay
ing 'met with most encouraging success"
the order had scarcely been heard of while
the distinguished agriculturists' who had
organized II comprised ono fruit-grower
and six government clerks equally distributed
among the postoihce, treasury and agricult-
ural departments. OF these seven immor-
tai founders, as enthusiastic Changers were
calling them few years later, six are living.
Nevertheless, II is difficult 10 determine just
how much Of the plan and its execution was
due to each
The next two years were years Of astoned-
ing growth "A growth almost unparalleled
in the history of secret organizations, and
resembling that of the knowNothings
twenty years before. At the end of 1879
about 800 Oranges had been organized In
the year 1873, S,GjS more were added; and in
1874, IL ,9fl, making total OF almost p, 900,
with an average membership of forty Some
idea of the magnitude Of these figures may
be gained from the fact that the whole num-
Der of lodges Of Masons and Odd Fellows In
the world is estimated at about 10000. The
order was represented in every State except
Rhode Island (Which has never found room
for it). II had been established in the In
dian Territory, whence il appealed for help
to the National Grange because the governor
OF the Chickasaw nation looked on il with
suspicion, and had ordered all Changers out
| of the Chickasaw country. IL had taken
root in Canada, where, few years later
there were $50 subordinate Oranges. One
| deputy introduced 10 into England; others
were laboring in France and Germany; and
inquiries and invitations were coming even
| from Australia and Tasmania Grange treas
| uries were overlooking In 1878 and 1874
| the dues 10 the National Grange alone, ac-
| cording to the official statement, amounted
TO SSiS, $50 90 The press was discussing the
new order with alarm. Legislative commit
| tees were scurrying about the country 20 sec
what could be done for the farmer In the
words Of the New York Nation, "The farmer
was the spoiled child of our politics" Tho
House OF Representatives at Washington was
oyerawed at the new power that was appar-
emily rising in politics, and those who
claimed, for the most part falsely, TO repre-
sent the movement enjoyed an astonishing
influence. Among other legislation secured
| by these men, one bill was rushed through
for printing and distributing 20 the farmers
certain agricultural documents, at an ex-
pense Of sjOo,0OOl w. W. Phelps opposed IL,
only 10 be bitterly attacked on the score Of
| sympathy with monopolists and lack OF SYM
| pathy with farmers One fervid orator from
Kansas went over his whole record for proofs
OF this, and alleged many damaging facts
| among them that he was rich. that he was in
tercsted in banks and railroads, and that ho
had been graduated with honor from Yale
college